EPA warns workers on marijuana use & investing; Germany takes 1st official legalization steps; ME state report: Cannabis regulations successful
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new report from the U.S. State Department looks at how marijuana decriminalization is helping to address religious discrimination in countries across the world—while ignoring ongoing domestic federal cannabis prohibition.
The Environmental Protection Agency sent out a warning reminding its employees that federal workers are banned from using marijuana—or in some cases even investing in the cannabis industry—regardless of state legalization laws.
Germany’s government is taking the first steps to formulate a marijuana legalization plan by holding a series of hearings with experts this month.
Maine regulators released a report highlighting the “successful launch” of the state’s legal marijuana market—finding that sales by licensed businesses are displacing the illicit market more rapidly than has occurred in other legalized states.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit dismissed two lawsuits challenging Drug Enforcement Administration hemp rules.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld a judge’s directive that a man on pretrial release not use medical cannabis.
The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to take up a case about the scope of protections provided by a congressionally approved medical cannabis rider.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) tweeted, “For all the huff and puff about marijuana reform in Congress, there’s little consensus about how to proceed. The solution is simple: deschedule, regulate, prioritize social equity, and allow the cannabis industry to light up small businesses across the country.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) tweeted, “As both a veteran and a co-chair of the Bipartisan Cannabis Caucus, I believe that veterans should be able to access every legal tool possible in order to treat their physical and mental health.”
/ STATES
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said that fentanyl is being laced into marijuana and cocaine.
South Dakota Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith, currently the House minority leader, tweeted, “The people of South Dakota voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana and that vote was not only ignored, but impeded by Gov. Noem at every turn. As your governor, I will fight for the will of South Dakotans to legalize recreational marijuana.”
Maryland’s House Judiciary Committee chairman said most of the details of a regulated marijuana market will be decided by lawmakers in 2023 if voters approve a legalization referendum this November, but that some issues may be carried over until 2024.
The Arkansas legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Subcommittee met.
Here’s a look at how a handful of Virginia lawmakers succeeded in including provisions to recriminalize possession of more than four ounces of marijuana in public in budget legislation.
A Pennsylvania senator plans to file a bill to regulate delta-8 THC products.
Alabama’s top medical cannabis regulator said that the fall of 2023 is probably the earliest products can be available for patients.
Mississippi regulators published rules on medical cannabis cultivation and processing facilities.
Montana officials published guidance on petitioning for expungement, resentencing or redesignation of marijuana convictions.
An Oregon ban on selling synthetically derived cannabinoids is set to take effect on July 1.
The Texas Medical Advisory Board will consider potential driving limits for medical cannabis on Thursday.
West Virginia regulators will host a medical cannabis patient signup event on June 22.
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/ LOCAL
The Killeen, Texas City Council will consider a proposed local marijuana decriminalization ballot initiative on Tuesday.
Brooklyn, New York’s district attorney is hosting a cannabis town hall on Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration said it has approved nearly 650,000 applications to grow cannabis.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested that Ukraine’s government has a plan to “drown the Russians in drugs.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “people living with chronic pain reported important benefits associated with use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, including reduced pain, improved functionality, and less risk of harms compared to prescription opioids.”
A review concluded that “while existing research suggests the potential for cannabis laws to reduce high-risk opioid prescribing and other opioid-related adverse outcomes, studies should be interpreted in light of limitations.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Alabama Democratic Party tweeted, “Despite basically equal usage rates, Black people are almost 5x more likely than white people to be arrested for having a little bit of weed. It’s time to right the wrongs of racist cannabis policy.”
The Washington Examiner editorial board suggested that reversing marijuana legalization could reduce violent crime.
/ BUSINESS
Numinus Wellness Inc. completed its acquisition of Novamind Inc.
The Buddy Boy chain of marijuana dispensaries in Denver, Colorado is closing.
/ CULTURE
Sammy Hager spoke to Bill Maher about how marijuana makes him paranoid.
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